MYSTERIOUS JAPANESE ABOUT VASHON ISLAND

Take Note of Topography and Prepare Map for Locating Batteries to Command Waterways.

BURTON, Monday, Feb. 24. -- The presence of mysterious Japanese wandering about Vashon Island has excited suspicion during the past few weeks. Although a few of the brown men have asked for work, not many seem disposed to hire out. Several of the men have been equipped with cameras.

When one was overtaken recently by a man driving along a road, he plunged into nearby bushes and did not come out for some time. Japanese writings have been found in the soil beside a path at the lower end of the island, as if intended to direct countrymen to find their way.

A torn map of Vashon Island lettered with Japanese characters also has been found. It shows the best location for placing batteries to command the east and west passages to make targets of every ship plying between Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia.